Thailand targets $3.5B durian exports in 2024
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Thailand is poised to export approximately one million tonnes of durian, valued at an estimated 130 billion baht ($3.5 billion) this year, according to Thai PBS World.<
In line with Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin’s directives, the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives is tasked with drafting regulations to prevent the sale of unripe or inferior durians.
This includes setting dry weight standards for various durian varieties: 32% for Monthong, 30% for Chanee, and 28% for Kra Dum, as detailed by Chai Wacharonke, a spokesperson for Srettha.
The initiative aims to discourage the premature harvesting and selling of durians, thereby improving the fruit’s quality and export competitiveness, said Chai.
Furthering its commitment to quality and market stability, Thailand recently signed a memorandum of understanding with China to promote and secure stable prices for tropical fruit exports from Thailand to China, the English platform of the Chinese state news agency China News Service, reports.
This agreement facilitates the importation of approximately 20,000 tons of durians and mangosteens, worth over 3 billion baht ($82.44 million), by China from Thailand from April to June this year.
Durian export, generating 120 billion baht in revenue last year, plays an increasingly crucial role in Thailand’s economy.
Thailand, producing 900,000 tons of durian annually, exports nearly two-thirds of this output primarily to China.
Questions & Answers
Q.What is the primary motivation behind Thailand's new regulations concerning durian quality?
What is the primary motivation behind Thailand's new regulations concerning durian quality?
The regulations aim to prevent the sale of unripe or inferior durians. This initiative seeks to improve the fruit’s overall quality and enhance its export competitiveness on the global market.
Q.Which specific durian varieties are subject to the new dry weight standards, and what are their respective percentages?
Which specific durian varieties are subject to the new dry weight standards, and what are their respective percentages?
New dry weight standards have been set for Monthong at 32%, Chanee at 30%, and Kra Dum at 28%. These measures are designed to ensure consistent quality across key varieties.
Q.What does the recent agreement between Thailand and China signify for Thai fruit exports?
What does the recent agreement between Thailand and China signify for Thai fruit exports?
The memorandum of understanding promotes and secures stable prices for tropical fruit exports, including durians and mangosteens, from Thailand to China. China will import around 20,000 tons of these fruits from April to June this year.